“We’ve always been creative, but we entered this new chapter really, by chance,” said Allison, who started her journey with pottery and ceramics after being given a studio-class gift card as an anniversary present by Richard in 2018. Richard, a career direct marketing creative services professional joined his wife in 2019 when his interest in woodworking turned into something a bit more established.
After honing their respective crafts and gifting their products to their family and friends the couple realized that they had enough inventory lining their shelves to try their luck out in the local craft circuits. It wasn’t long before the couple realized that they had a hit on their hands.
When asked what sets the couple apart from the crowd Richard stated that “you can’t find these items at a large retail store. These are unique pieces for people looking for products or gifts that represent a special connection or moment….” Richard also shared a story of when, “...this year, at our booth at Canal Fest in Waterford, a man was looking through all of our mugs and saw one, that for some reason, reminded him of his grandfather. You could tell it was an emotional connection for him…it was just so unexpected and joyful.”
If unique creativity and sentimentality aren’t enough to make the Sherwood’s designs stand apart, the fact that all of Richard’s products are made from locally sourced wood and produced from mostly sustainable energy certainly does the trick. “I’ve been using wood from our property and collecting wood from friends, family, even the side of the road after a big storm rolls through. We subscribe to a third-party energy provider so the majority of our electricity is produced by sustainable energy from the solar and wind farms,” said Richard.
If beautiful, unique, and sustainable items are what you are looking to purchase or sell, you’ll find them at Sherwood Clay and Wood Designs. Their creations can be found any time on their Facebook Business Page, at local artisan craft shows, and will soon be available for purchase on Etsy. They are also currently exploring opportunities in small retail shops that focus on carrying local artisan works. Additionally, for any Saratoga Racetrack fans out there, the couples horse hair Raku pottery will be available this season in the Gabriel Gallery at the track! Raku pottery is a traditional Japanese style of firing pottery. Allison then uses the Native American technique of applying horse hair or feathers that singe to the pottery creating organic designs a making them into a truly one-of-a-kind piece.
